Trouble brewing between aligned stars, new stable to form? - 4 ways Bayley can stay one step ahead of Nia Jax on WWE SmackDown
WWE Friday Night SmackDown has a wealth of talented female competitors who are showcased on a regular basis. Bianca Belair, Jade Cargill, Naomi, Tiffany Stratton, Chelsea Green, Piper Niven, and Michin are some of the top names on the brand.
The top star on SmackDown right now is Bayley. The Role Model is the reigning WWE Women's Champion, having won the title from IYO SKY at WrestleMania. While she has successfully retained the title a few times now, her biggest threat is coming at SummerSlam.
Bayley will be putting her belt on the line against the dominant Nia Jax at the big show. Jax won the Queen of the Ring Tournament and has put The Role Model on notice on more than one occasion, having laid out or attempted to lay out the champion multiple times now.
Bayley needs to make sure she isn't attacked or otherwise hurt by her opposition come SmackDown this week in order to stay healthy for SummerSlam. This article will look at a handful of ways The Role Model can stay a step ahead of the challenger.
Below are four ways Bayley can stay one step ahead of Nia Jax on WWE SmackDown.
#4. She could attack Nia Jax from behind
Nia Jax has a habit of bullying performers smaller and less powerful than her. Given her immense strength and Nia's incredible stature, that means most WWE stars end up on the receiving end of her onslaught.
Unfortunately, this includes jumping talent from behind. While the former RAW Women's Champion doesn't typically need to do this in order to get the better of her WWE opposition, she does so anyway. Recently, Bayley has been a victim of blindsided assaults from the powerful challenger.
Two can play at that game, however. The Women's Champion could decide to return the favor and do the same to Nia on SmackDown. She may not want to injure her SummerSlam opponent, but Bayley could attack her to send a message stating that The Role Model is not afraid of the powerful Samoan.
#3. The Role Model could keep a kendo stick in hand
While it is nice to think about Bayley jumping Nia Jax from behind to send a stern message to the challenger, that doesn't seem to be the WWE Women's Champion thing, at least not anymore. She has turned over a new leaf and is trying to be good.
Most have forgiven her for her past deeds, excluding a select few such as Bianca Belair. One star who has made up with The Role Model is WWE SmackDown star Michin. Mia has come to Bayley's aid on more than one occasion, often wielding a kendo stick to send Nia and possibly others fleeing.
Bayley was able to get ahold of one of Michin's kendo sticks last week and she is now well aware of how useful it can be. If she can hold onto one come SmackDown, Bayley could use it as a line of defense in case Jax is up to her evil deeds.
#2. Bayley could form a new faction to have her back in WWE
As noted, Bayley has turned over a new leaf in WWE following her exit from Damage CTRL. Instead of being sinister and devious, she is trying to show remorse for her actions and live up to her nickname as The Role Model.
Michin has forgiven Bayley, but she has also made a new friend in Jade Cargill. Beyond that, Naomi wasn't around for most of Bayley's antics and thus has been on The Role Model's side upon returning to WWE. These are some powerful allies for the champion.
Given that Nia Jax has a friend in Tiffany Stratton and Bayley has also been dealing with the likes of Piper Niven and Chelsea Green, it would make sense for The Role Model to seek help. As a result, she could unite with Naomi, Michin, and potentially even Jade in forming a new faction to handle all of these other unions on SmackDown.
#1. Bayley could try to convince Tiffany Stratton to ditch Nia
Nia Jax and Tiffany Stratton have formed an alliance in WWE. Both are despised by much of the roster, so it makes sense that both talented women would need someone by their side.
This could create complications. Nia is challenging for the WWE Women's Championship at SummerSlam and Tiffany is Ms. Money in the Bank, which means she has a guaranteed title opportunity for one year.
Bayley could decide to stay a step ahead of Nia by sowing seeds of discontent between the two in their new friendship. If she can cause trouble to be brewed between the pair, there is a chance Stratton will ditch Jax. In turn, this would make it a lot safer for Bayley moving forward.